FEC RELEASES 15-MONTH SUMMARY ON POLITICAL PARTY FINANCES

WASHINGTON-The Republican party continued its fundraising advantage
by collecting nearly $64 million more than the Democrats during
the first 15 months of the 1997-98 election cycle, according to
the Federal Election Commission.

Financial activity from January 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998,
shows that federal accounts of Republican party
committees had receipts of $146.8 million, and disbursements of
$132 million after all transfers were removed. Democratic federal
accounts reported raising $83.8 million, and spending of $79.7
million after all transfers were removed. Republican receipts
reflect a drop of just over 17% in receipts when compared to the
same period in 1995-96, a presidential cycle, while Democratic
receipts reflect a drop of over 11%. By contrast, Republican
receipts decreased less than 1% between '92 and '94 (15-month
periods), while Democratic receipts increased more than 34%.

Individuals accounted for 92% of Republican party receipts, contributing
$135.8 million. Democratic party committees received 76% of their
funds from individuals, or $63.3 million. Democrats relied more
heavily on PAC contributions, receiving $10.3 million (12%) versus
Republican PAC receipts of $6.3 million (4%).

Republicans reported cash on hand of $14.8 million and debts of
$8 million, while Democrats reported cash on hand of $6.7 million
and debts of $11.7 million.

Democratic party committees contributed $936,205 directly to federal
candidates and spent $2.9 million in coordinated party expenditures
on behalf of candidates for the first 15 months of the 1997-98
cycle. Republican party committees contributed $810,552 to federal
candidates and spent $286,600 in coordinated expenditures during
the same period.

Republicans also outraised the Democrats in nonfederal, or "soft
money,"* activity. Republican nonfederal
accounts collected $58.4 million, a 31% increase over the same
period in the previous cycle. Democratic nonfederal
accounts reported raising $42.1 million, a 6% increase over the
same period in the 1995-96 cycle.

Charts attached to this release provide summary data for the financial
activities of the Republican and Democratic party committees during
the first 15 months of the 1997-98 election cycle compared to
the same period in five previous election cycles. Comparable
data on nonfederal party activity is available only back to the
1991-92 cycle. The FEC began requiring national party committees
to disclose their nonfederal accounts in January 1991.

*"Soft money" describes funds raised outside
the limitations and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign
Act. Soft money must be deposited in separate nonfederal accounts
and cannot be used in connection with federal elections. To enhance
public disclosure, the FEC requires national political party committees
to report the sources of receipts to all nonfederal accounts.